Real-life siblings Shahzad Sheikh and Momal Sheikh, who are also Shahroz Sabzwari’s first cousins, have recently opened up about the controversy that followed after Shahroz’s split with Syra Yousuf and his marriage to Sadaf Kanwal.
Talking to Ahsan Khan on his show Time Out with Ahsan Khan about the matter, Momal said: “Shahroz and Syra handled it so well – it was the best thing and that is the way it should be. People do talk about things, they have always been talking and will continue to do so.”
When Ahsan asked her about her thoughts on how the former couple handled it, Momal said: “They are mature individual adults, who handled things maturely. Both [of them] are beautiful from the inside.”
At this point, Shahzad added: “The third member, Sadaf is the most mature and down to earth woman you will ever meet. And we are so proud of the way she handled the negative feedback online. So, I guess I can say on the basis of her pure heartedness, that God’s will was always with her.”
Momal further said: “She handled everything so maturely and she is good from the heart and Allah is with such people who are good from the heart.”
Syra and Shahroz ended their seven-year marriage in February 2020 after which Shahroz tied the knot with Sadaf in May 2020 in an intimate nikkah ceremony.
Ahsan Khan has responded to the controversy surrounding the inclusion of animals “as props” on his talk show Time Out with Ahsan Khan.
“Let me clarify. These rabbits are basically pets and the person who owns them brings them to the set,” said Ahsan, while speaking exclusively to The Current. “When they are on set, we make sure that they are well-fed and taken care of and are not facing any issues. They are not uncomfortable at all. The person whose pets they are keeps them indoors and they are very easy to play with.”
“Araam say haathon main aa jaatay hain,” explained Khan.
Khan further went onto share the segment has been inspired by the Hop Quiz on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
“Basically, this segment has been inspired by Hollywood’s The Tonight Show,” said Ahsan.
The actor then said that being a pet lover he is very careful with the animals on set and cares for them.
“I myself am a pet lover,” said Ahsan. “I have dogs at home. I have cats. I also have parrots and hens and they are all like my own children. We try to provide them with comfortable environments. So naturally, we are very careful with the animals – all of us on set.”
He further said that after the show invited backlash for “using animals as props,” he and his producer decided to avoid it.
“My producer and I thought that if this is hurting people and they are not liking it, then we can avoid it. So we have cut out the segment in the last three to four episodes we’ve recorded,” stated Ahsan, clarifying that the ones which included the animals were shot before.
“Although this segment is one of my favourites because this is the only one in which we discuss general knowledge, which not only educates my guests but also those who are watching the show. Whoever gives a wrong answer has to hold the pet in their lap,” he shared. It is pertinent to add here that the male guests usually enjoy petting the animals but the female guests are scared of them and often jump around screaming when asked to hold them.
“We on our end have been very careful with handling them, but if some people don’t like it then we, including my producers and all can apologise to them,” concluded Khan. “It’s a mutual thing. If something is not right, we should look into it.”
Earlier, a Lahore-based law firm Crown Chambers had filed a complaint before the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) against Express Entertainment and the show for using animals as props.
Our Law Firm has filed Complaint in PEMRA Council of Complaint against use of Rabbit as Props in Show aired on Express Entertainment hosted by Actor Ahsan Khan. The said act is violation of Article 9 of Constitution, Animal Cruelty Act 1890 and Judgment of Islmabad High Court. pic.twitter.com/fwfJMz8Ytw
“The said segment on the TV show, subjecting a sentient living being, an animal, to unnecessary suffering is not only an offence under the law but a breach of the constitutionally guaranteed right to life under Art. 9 of the constitution, as laid down by Islamabad high court in Islamabad Wildfire Management board Vs Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad, cited in 2021 CLC 262,” read the complaint.
It further said: “The format of the segment involves a series of questions and answers with known celebrities as guests, who if fail to answer properly, as a “punishment” or “penalty”, are required to hold an animal or at times required to pile several animals such as petrified rabbits/pigeons etc, on their laps, causing distress not only to the animals but to the guest at times as well.”
“Morever, it has spread the message to masses through the said TV channel that projecteing such treatmeant onto animals is acceptable.”
The inclusion of animals on Time Out with Ahsan Khan sparked outrage after a video of Maya Ali screaming and jumping around while being teased with the rabbits went viral on social media. She had appeared on the show with Bilal Ashraf.
Trust Priyanka Chopra Jonas to pass the most inconsiderate comments ever.
The actor while speaking to Oprah Winfrey opened up about her religious side and gave an insight into how her life was while growing up.
Talking about her spiritual journey, Priyanka said that she had been influenced by different religions throughout her life, ranging from Hinduism to Christianity and Islam.
“With the swirling number of religions that live in the country [India]… I grew up in a convent school,” said Chopra. “So I was aware of Christianity. My dad used to sing in a mosque and that made me well aware of Islam. Being a Hindu and coming from a Hindu family, I adapted the rituals and teachings from Hinduism.”
“Spirituality is such a large part of India that you can’t ignore it,” she added.
Priyanka further shared that her late father educated her about all faiths.
“I am a Hindu. I pray and have a temple in my home. I do it as often as I can. But truly to me, I am a believer that a higher power does exist and I like to have faith in that,” she said.
Soon after Priyanka’s comments about her dad “singing” in a mosque went viral on social media, Ahsan Khan among countless others, expressed their shock over the actor’s religiously insensitive comments.
Besides Ahsan, several other social media users also expressed their outrage of the Priyanka’s comments.
Kriti Sanon who shared the screen with Sushant Singh Rajput in 2017’s Raabta, has opened up about the actor’s death and revealed why she chose to remain silent on the matter.
Sanon, who was also rumoured to have dated the late actor, chose to step away from the spotlight following Rajput’s alleged suicide, even as people reportedly used his death to claim their five minutes of fame in the media.
Speaking to an Indian media outlet, Sanon shared why she decided to stay silent on the matter.
“At one point, there was so much noise around that I didn’t want to be a part of it,” said Kriti. “It reached a point where people stopped being sensitive, and there was too much negativity around. I didn’t want to be a part of that negativity.”
“I knew what I felt about the situation and I wanted to keep that to myself. I didn’t feel the need to talk to anyone about anything that I was feeling. Also, what you want to say, you can always say it on social media. You can write and express yourself instead of talking out loud.”
Two days after Sushant’s death, Kriti had penned a heartbreaking note for her late co-star, writing: “Sush…I knew that your brilliant mind was your best friend and your worst enemy…but it has broken me completely to know that you had a moment in your life where dying felt easier or better than living.”
“A part of my heart has gone with you, and a part will always keep you alive,” Kriti had written in her note.
On June 14, 2020, Singh was found dead at his home in Mumbai. While the police initially reported Rajput’s death as suicide, the federal police agency later began to investigate foul play after fans of the actors expressed outrage on social media and his family filed an FIR against his alleged girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty. Chakraborty was also investigated and arrested in the case.
An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore has handed two culprits in the motorway rape case – Abid Malhi and Shafqat Bagga – a death sentence. They have also been sentenced to prison for life and slapped a fine of Rs 50,000 each.
According to reports, the two have been sentenced to death for gang-raping a woman on the Lahore-Sialkot motorway in September 2020. The court, which had earlier reserved the verdict, announced it today at Lahore’s Camp Jail, where the trial took place.
This is the first time that convicts in a gang-rape case have been handed death sentences.
The court has also ordered to confiscate the two convicts’ properties.
THE INCIDENT
A woman, along with her three children, was driving to Gujranwala in her car when she was forced to stop at the Gujjarpura section of the Lahore-Sialkot motorway after running out of fuel at around 1:30 am in September 2020.
She immediately called a relative and sent him her location. He asked her to also dial the Motorway Police helpline 130 but she was reportedly refused help.
In the meantime, two robbers approached the car, broke the window and took the woman and her children to nearby bushes where they raped her repeatedly in front of the children. They also snatched her purse that had cash around Rs100,000, one bracelet, car registration and three ATM cards.
The Gujjarpura police have registered a case, while Motorway Police spokesperson said they had not been able to take action as the incident did not occur in the limits of Motorway Police.
The case had sparked outrage and protests across the country following which the government formulated the Anti-Rape Ordinance 2020, under which special courts will be set up across the country to expedite trials of rape cases on a priority basis and award harsher sentences, such as chemical castration.
Sharing the video of the two underwater, Ahsan wrote: “20/03/20” followed by a heart emoji.
Tagging Minal, Ahsan further said: “1 year down, 100 more to go.”
Ahsan also turned off the comments on the post.
The couple earlier came under fire for posting loved-up pictures. At the time, Ahsan had reacted to the backlash by asking people to worry about “his/her own life instead of others”.
“Islam teaches us not to condemn others. Leave the judging to God. Worry about, and judge, only yourself,” he had said.
Meanwhile, Minal also recently hit back at a troll for who moral-policed her over her choice of outfit.
Later, senior PTI leader Senator Faisal Javed Khan said that PM Khan is “experiencing mild symptoms” and “will continue to work from home over video calls”.
Prime Minister Imran Khan tests positive for coronavirus, is experiencing ‘mild symptoms’. He will self-quarantine at home however will continue to work from home over video con. Lots of prayers for everyone. Stay Safe
PM Khan had received the first dose of his COVID-19 vaccine on March 18. Interacting with the media after receiving his shot, PM had urged everyone to get vaccinated for the virus. It is pertinent to add here that PM Imran is yet to receive the second dose of the vaccine, which will be administered to him after a month.
The Ministry of National Health Services also clarified that PM Khan was “not fully vaccinated when he contracted the virus”.
“He only got the first dose and merely two days ago which is too soon for any vaccine to become effective,” asserted the minister, adding: “Anti-bodies develop 2-3 weeks after the second dose of COVID vaccines.”
Prime Minister Imran Khan was not fully vaccinated when he contracted the virus. He only got the 1st dose and merely 2 days ago which is too soon for ANY vaccine to become effective. Anti-bodies develop 2-3 weeks after 2nd dose of 2-dose COVID vaccines. #VaccinesWork
— Ministry of National Health Services, Pakistan (@nhsrcofficial) March 20, 2021
وزیراعظم عمران خان کا کورونا مثبت آنے کا مطلب یہ نہیں ہے کہ ویکسین غیر موثر تھی۔ ویکسین سے اینٹی باڈیز بننے میں 14 دن لگتے ہیں لہذا تمام امکانات میں ویکسی نیشن کے وقت وزیر اعظم پہلے ہی کورونا کا شکار ہو چکے تھے- شکوک و شبہات پیدا کرنے سے اجتناب کرنا ہوگا سبکو ویکسین لگانی چاہئے
Meanwhile, several PTI leaders including Sheikh Rasheed, Usman Buzdar and Hammad Azhar have wished the premier a swift recovery.
Prayers for quick recovery of Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI.
Recent spike in #COVID19 cases and positivity rate is alarming and we all need to be extra careful and strictly follow safety protocols!! https://t.co/ip6ccCQQzR
Wishing @ImranKhanPTI a speedy recovery & complete shifa from #COVID19. This is a reminder to us all that the virus can hit any of our homes; practise social distancing, wear your masks & #StaySafe
Pakistani celebrities are often trolled and moral policed for their choice of outfits and clothes. Minal Khan was recently at the receiving end of criticism for her choice of outfit.
The actor, who recently appeared on Timeout with Ahsan Khan with close friend Saboor Aly, ended up grabbing the attention for the wrong reasons. Though the show has not aired as yet, the moral police has been calling them out for their choice of clothing ever since behind-the-scenes pictures and videos from the episode went viral on social media.
Responding to a user, who commented “Begairti ki hd,” on one of her pictures, Minal said: “Kaheen aur jakr bhaashan dein pls, agli dukaan mein jayein. Yahan window shopping nahi horhi.”
Earlier, Ayesha Omar had also given a befitting reply to a troll who criticised her for her choice of outfit.
Responding to a social media user who had criticised her outfit for being revealing, Ayesha had said: “I’m definitely not promoting/ asking/urging women to expose their bodies. That is their own choice as wearing this dress was mine. As wearing whatever you want is yours.”
In another comment, when a user remarked that such outfits provoke rape cases, Ayesha hit back saying: “Oh so that explains 4-month-old babies, 5-year-olds and 7-year-old girls and being raped?”
Babar Azam on Friday responded to the allegations of harassment on him and the case that has been petitioned before a local court in Lahore.
Speaking to the media via video link, the Captain of the Pakistan Cricket Team said: “This is my personal matter and my lawyer is dealing with it in court. We face many hurdles in life and this is not the first one and I don’t want to discuss it further as I want to focus on the upcoming series of South Africa and Zimbabwe.”
Earlier on March 18, a local court in Lahore had ordered the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to register a case against the skipper for harassing and blackmailing his former class fellow Hameeza Mukhtar.
During the media interaction, Azam also addressed the rumors of his clashes with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management and the selection committee regarding the selection process of the players.
“I want to clear all rumours [of a rift] between me and the management. It is better if these things remain in the meeting rooms. Debate is good for the team, some people agree with the debate and some do not. This is a normal thing and should remain in the meeting rooms,” said Azam.
He further said: “This is not my team, this is our team. So, I do understand the protocols of selection.”
“The role of captaincy is given to me and I have to utilize the players according to the situation [of the match]. I welcome the new team and InshAllah the results of the tour will be good,” added the captain.
Earlier, rumors were rife that if there is a rift among Chief Selector Mohammad Wasim, head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and captain over the player-selection criteria but later Wasim had denied reports that there were any differences on the selection matters.
The national side will face Proteas in three ODIs and four T20Is in South Africa, starting from April 2.
A First Information Report (FIR) has been filed against a resident of Karachi’s Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Falcon Complex for stabbing and injuring fashion designer Moazzam Khan and his two sons over a parking dispute.
According to reports, the incident took place on Tuesday night when Moazzam was embroiled in an argument over a parking issue with the suspect identified as Ibrahim Durrani.
In the video clips, which have gone viral on social media, a man can be heard and seen exchanging hot words with Durrani over the way he reversed the car. As the argument grew intense, Ibrahim stabbed Moazzam and his two sons – Fahad Moazzam and Ata Moazzam – with a Swiss knife and fled the scene.
In the FIR, Moazzam also said that he took his injured sons to the Aga Khan University Hospital himself despite being injured.
“My wife informed me that Ibrahim Durrani also resorted to aerial firing,” Moazzam said in the FIR, adding that the assailant had also threatened them with “dire consequences” if the matter was reported to the police.
Later, the Shahrah-e-Faisal Police registered a case against Durrani under Sections 324 [attempt to murder] and 337-H(II) [Whoever does any act so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life or the personal safety of other, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine, or with both] read with 34 [Criminal acts by several persons in furtherance of common intention] of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Ibrahim and his father Khalid Durrani, an official of the Pakistan Air Force, have been booked in the case and the Investigation Police has been assigned the case’s probe. However, no arrests have been made so far.
According to reports, Shahrah-e-Faisal investigation officer Israr Afridi, the police had raided the suspects’ house but they were not found there. He said the police later confronted Khalid, who was sick.
Afridi maintained that Khalid was neither seen in the CCTV footage of the incident, nor any evidence was found against him, which was why the police did not arrest him. However, another report has said that Khalid instigated his son to “attack them more”.
He said Ibrahim’s mobile had been powered off and suspected that he had deliberately switched off the phone to avoid arrest.
Efforts are underway to trace him using his mobile phone’s location and call detail record, Afridi said, adding that he believes Durrani’s mental condition is not stable.
